Late September - scrub taping continues.

After almost a week of wet weather, and strong winds on 19th/20th, it finally passed through and on Friday 22nd it was "ringing weather" again. Jerry did the early start and a promising first round, but it was cold and few birds were then caught until 10/10.30 when it warmed a bit. With two of his mp3s dead (left on after previously charging !) his options were limited, but 5 Goldcrest were caught soon after playing that species. By the time Andy took over at lunchtime the total was 18 + (8). The early afternoon saw occasional showers but Andy added a few more birds, incl the first Meadow Pipit for the year (in the "pipit" trap). The day ended with a respectable 23 + (9). On Saturday 23rd it was Carlton (am) and Jerry (pm) for a combined total of 19 + (2) - mostly during the morning. The mix for the two days was Wren 2 + (1), Robin (2), Dunnock (3), Blackbird 1 + (1), Meadow Pipit 3, Cettis Warbler (2), Chiffchaff 14, Blackcap 5 + (1) - ringed 2018, Goldcrest 9 + (1), Goldfinch 1, Great Tit 1, and Blue Tit 6.

Another wet and windy day on Sunday, which had blown through for Monday 25th, so Jerry was back in our scrub area. Catching started off slowly with some regular showers (not forecast), but as the sun started breaking through the cloud cover it picked up and he ended with a modest 13 + (8). A wet week followed (incl storm Agnes - the first named storm of the season), but it settled down for Friday 29th and Jeremy tried a last session for the month. Most Blackcap have now moved through, but there are still Chiffchaff and Goldcrest to be caught. He had a slightly better total than Jerry (and with a higher proportion of new birds), to end on 22 + (2). The species mix for the two sessions comprised Wren 1 + (1), Robin 2, Dunnock (1), Song Thrush 1, Cettis Warbler 1 + (1), Chiffchaff 12, Blackcap 3, Goldcrest 10 + (3), Long-tailed Tit 2 + (2), Coal Tit 1, Blue Tit 1 + (1), Great Tit 1, and Bullfinch (1). Still relatively few "tits" getting caught.

During September we ringed 221 birds, bringing our YTD to 1792.